Dirigible light



C. ROSE DIRIGIBLE LIGHT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Jan. 28, 1929 Oct. 6, 1931. C'IROSE 1,826,025

DIRIGIBLE LIGHT Original Filed Jan. 28 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 6, 1931 ICE CHESTER ROSE, OF GLENNS FERRY, IDAHO DIRIGIBLE LIGHT Application filed January 28, 1929, Serial No. 335,709.

My invention relates to dirigible lights and especially to adjust-able dirigible lights for use upon automobiles or other moving vehicles.

One of the objects of my invention is a dirigible light which can be easily and conveniently attached and'detached from its holder so as to be more readily adapted for different uses about an automobile. The

'2 -former art contains dirigible lights which are more or less permanently fixed which are not adapted for instantaneous and movable use about the automobile.

Another object of my invention is a detachable diri 'ible li ht with an instantaneous manual control ofthe focus of the light. Dirigible lights of former design could be focused only,by removing the lens and adjusting the position of the light with respect to the reflector, or by adjusting the light by means of set screws. I propose a dirigible light whereb the movement of the whole light holding member with respect to the reflector and the housing containing the light holding member can be manually regulated by turning a button or screw whereby the whole light holding member is moved.

Another object of my invention is a dirigible light which can be conveniently used for all purposes about an automobile. To that end I have invented an adjustable holder of electric cord so that upon detaching the dirigible light from its holder, the dirigiblo light may be carried a considerable distance away from the holder by unwinding the cord from the spool. It will be appreciated that this is very convenient to operators of automobiles who desire the use of a portable light in and about automobiles.

Another object of my invention is to have a dirigible light which may be removed some distance from the holder by the simple expedient of pulling the light away. This I accomplished by means of a rotating handle.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved holder for a dirigible light so constructed and formed thatit has sutlicient spring to keep the dirigible light securely fastened and at the same time allow Renewed. August 21, 1931.

the dirigible light to be readily and instan taneously detached.

Another object of my invention is to provide suitable means for attaching the dirigible light to the post of a steering wheel of an automobile, posterior to and independent of the windshield, whereby the light may be easily manually operated posterior to the windshield. V

Another object of my invention is to pro vide amea'ns of mechanically supporting the dirigible lamp to permit the movement of the dirigible lamp in any direction within pro-determined limits without detaching it from the holder. It will be readily appreiated' that it is sometimes of great convenience and importance that the light be directed toward the rear of the interior of an automobile.

Another object or" this invention is to provide a dirigible light which is controlled by means of a sliding electric push button which functions as an electric insulator; that is, when the switch is open, neither terminal is in electric contact with the conducting portion of the switch so that when the switch is open the push button acts as a complete insulator, and when the switch is closed the push button acts as a conductor betweenthe terminals. It is apparent that this eliminates the danger of short circuiting.

In the following description of my invention I have illustrated its adaptation to various installations in an automobile and the uses attendant thereon, but it is not particularly limited to any one of these uses.

Fig. l is a vertical elevation of a dirigible light mounted on a support which is by a combination arm, ball and socket.

Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional detail of a detachable light with an electric cord carrying device and a support adaptable to be mounted to the inside of an automobile adjacent and posterior to and independent of the windshield.

Fig. 3 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2 showing the collar of the reflector.

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverve section taken on the line 11 of Fig. 2 showing the switch member.

Fig. 5 is a verti *al transverse section taken on the line of Fig. 2 showing a cross section of button 23.

Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 6 of Fig. 2 showing another cross section of the button 23.

Fig. 7 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 77 of Fig. 2 showing a cross section of the movable knob 32.

Fig. 8 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 88 of Fig. 2 showing a cross section of the switch member at and the stationary knob 11.

Fig. 9 is a plan elevation of the tubular housing 24 for the screw 13.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the screw 13 for adjusting the focus of the lamp.

Fig. 11 is a erspective view of a tubular housing 15, ene osing a portion of the switch mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the button 23 against which the spring 22 bears.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the support of the light.

Fig. 1.4 is a perspective view of the strap whereby the support shown in Fig. 11 may be attached to the steering post of an automobile.

Referring to Fig. 2, an electric light globe (1) is connected into a conventional light socket (2) and a double electric light wire (3) through terminal (5) is connected to the switch member (4) and also connected to the socket (2) at the terminal. (6). The switch member (4) is a movable tubular member composed of insulating material (7) and contact notches (8) and (9) which are conductively connected. The switch member (4) extends radially through the light holding member and through the housing containing the light holding member. The move-- ment of the switch member (1) radially with reference to the light holding member will seat the contact notch into operative engagement with the terminal (5) and the contact notch (9) into operative engagement with the terminal (10), which s of hairpin design composed of conduct material and connected with the light socket through the terminal ((5). The switch member (l) extends radially through the housing, through the boss or knob 1.1) and the switch member (4) may be manually moved by pressing the switch member (1) on either side of the housing. so that when the switch member (4) is moved radialiy thron h the lamp holding member the. contact notches will seat into operative engagement w terminals and (10) causing the electric light to illuminate, and when the button (1) is moved in the opposite direction the switch will be open.

The screw (13) is threaded into the lamp holding member (12) at (12) and mounted upon the screw (13) the button (1-1). The longitudinal movement of the screw 3) and the button (14:) is prevented with regard to the housing, as will be hereafter described. The housing containing the lamp holding member consists of a tulmlar housing (15) and the knob or boss (11) and the collar (16) ot' the combined reflector and cord carrying device and the knob or boss (32, and the hand grip (18). The switch memb r (4) extends radially through the knob (11) at (17) and radially through the tubular housing (15) at (19) so that the knob (11) is held stationary with reference to the tubular housing (15). The combined reflector and cord carrying device by means oi. the collar (16) mounted upon the tubular housing at (20) so that the reflector and cord carrying device are stationary with ref-pert to the tubular housing The boss or knob is loosely mounted on the tubular wall (15) and held in position by the flange (21) which prevents any longitudinal posterior movement. The spring presses against the interior posterior wall of and against the button (23) allowing an anterior longitudinal movement of the knob on the tubular housing (15) within the limits oi. the spring The hollow button (23) is mounted on the tubular member (21) and holds the tubular member (24) stationary with regard to the button (23) by the pin which extends radially through the wall of the button (23) by means of the aperture (2b) and through the slot (27) ot the wall of the tubular member (2 1). so that the end of the pin will extend into and engage the notch (28) ot the screw 13) so that upon the rotation of the sCI'OW (12-5) the screw (13) will have no lmigitmlinal movement with reference to the button and at the same time the tubular member (21) is a housing for the screw (13). The button (23) is held in stationary position with r; ierence to the tubular wall (15) by mains ot' the circular pin The circular pin tits into and around the annular groove (30) and the end of the circular pin (29) is bent radially at (31) so that the bent portion into the aperture in the annular groove (30) and extends radially through and engages in the aperture (33) of the button (23).

From the foregoing description and speci iication it is apparent that the rotation ot' the button (14.) and the screw (13) will cause the light holding member to move longi tudinally with ret'ercnce to the tubular hoiis ing (15) and the reflector (34-), and in this manner the light globe (1) may be adjusted with reference to the retlectm It will be also observed that any movement of the knob (32) will. have no frictional etlect upon the button (14:) because of the intertmsition of the flange between the knob 32) and the button (14). It will also be observed that the knob (32) is allowed a longitudinal movement within the limits of the spring This is to assist in the dirigible light being secured and easily detached in a support as hereinafter described.

The combination cord holder and reflector consists of a reflector of conventional design having a convex posterior portion which, together with an annular ring (35) supported by spokes (36) extending radially from the ring (35) to the collar (16), form an electric cord carrying device. I prefer to use an annular ring supported byrspokes or a solid piece conforming in shape to the back of the reflector,leaving a space between the annular ring or the supporting spokes about equal to the thickness of the electric cord to be stored, but I do not limit myself to this description because a solid disc any distance posterior to the. reflector may be used inst ad of the annular ring and spokes without departing from the spirit of my invention. The collar (16) is attached to the collar (37) of the reflector by means of a set screw (38) and the distance between he an nular ring (35) or the spokes (36) and the back of the reflector is adjusted by means of the set screw (38). A double electriccord (3) passes through the aperture in the collar (37) to the interior of the collar (37), and one wire is attached to terminal and the other wire attached to terminal (6) of the 'ht socket It will be readily seen that an electric cord. can thus be conveniently stored on the back of the reflector (34) and between the reflector and the annular ring and spokes (36), and that the distance of the annular ring from the back of the reflector (34) will, when the cord is wound in this opening, cause the cord to wind regularly upon the back of the reflector. Thus, ten feet and upwards of electric cord can be wound and stored upon the back of the re flector, depending upon the size of the cord and the reflector and the distance between spokes (36) and the back of the reflector. The grip 18) may be rotated upon its axis independently of the rest of the light, and it is thus readily apparent that by grasping the tubular member (18) as a grip upon detaching the dirigible light from the support and pulling the dirigible lic'ht away from the support that the cord will be unwound from K the back of the reflector (34), which opera tion may be continued to the entire length of the cord. This is very important as it allows the light to be freely transported to any distance in and about the automobile up to the length of the electric cord. Likewise, upon rewinding the cord and restoring it in the electric cord carrying device, the dirigible light may be held stationary with one hand and the other hand manually wind the electric cord between the annular ring (35) and the back of the reflector (34), wnich will cause the electric cord to spool regularly in the electric cord carrying device.

The support upon which the dirigible light is mounted and from which it may be easily detached consists of a bar (42) upon which is mounted at one end an annular yoke (43) with arms (44) and (45) and at the other end ofthe bar is mounted an annular g (4(3) with a circular opening (47). The anterior portion of the knob or boss (11) is beveled or shaped to lit the arms (44) and (45). From this it is apparent that the dirigible light may be easily secured in its support by inserting the posterior portion of the dirigible light in the circular opening (47) so that the bottom of the opening (47) supports a posterior portion of the dirigible light, and the anterior portion of the dirigible light is inserted between the arms and of the annular yoke (43). Spring tension between the annular yoke and the annular ring (4 6), which act as arms at the end of the bar (42) exerts spring pressure against the kn obs or bosses (11) or (32) and thus securely hold the dirigible light in stationary position.

lVhile this is the preferred form, I do not limit myself to a circular ring SLlOpOltlDg the posterior portion of the vdirigiule light because a ring openat the top in the form of a yoke might also be used without departing from the spirit of my invention, although it would not be so desirable the preferred form I have illustrated.

I also prefer to use the spring (22) to cause spring pressure of the knob against the annular ring (46) for the reason that upon placing the posterior portion of the dirigible light within the circular opening (47) a slight posterior pressure of the dirigible light will cause the knob (32) to move ant'eriorly longitudinally so as to allow the easy insertion of the anterior portion of the light within the yoke (43), and when this is completed the spring tension of the spring (22) causes the knob (32) to press against the annular ring (46). It is apparent that while the light is securely fixed on its support, it may be easily removed or detached by first removing the spring tension between the annular yoke (43) and the annular ring (46'), which can be readily and instantaneously done. This is very important in a detachable light of this character.

This adjustable and detachable dirigible light is peculiarly adapted for being used as a spotlight for automobiles particularly posterior and independent of the windshield, where the dirigible light can be easily manipulated by the driver. To obtain that I have mounted this dirigible light upon a body part of an automobile adjacent and posterior to but independent of the windshield by means of the bracket arm (50) which is attached to the body part by means of the screws (51), the other end of the bracket arm composing a ball (52) which fits into the socket (53) and which is attached to the supporting bar (42) by means of the screws '(54), together with the set screw (55). It is apparent that this type of mounting would allow this detachable light to be freely directed into any direction, limited only by the contact of the socket (53) with the arm (50). It is apparent that this is a great advantage over the former dirigible lights used in automobiles. With this mounting the rays of the light may be directed through the rear window of an enclosed automobile.

If for any reason it is undesirable to attach this dirigible light to an automobile part as stated above, I have contrived a method of attaching this light and its supportto the steering post of an automobile by means of a metal strap (56) in Figs. 13 and 14. with perforations (58) and screws (59) and (60) in such manner that the metal strap (56) may be tightly drawn around the steering post of an automobile or of any cylindrical object and tightly secured by the s'rews (59) and (60) through the perforations (58), the screws (59) and (60) being also used for attaching the supporting bar (42) to the metal strap, and the dirigible light mounted on the supporting bar 42) as stated above.

While I have thus described my invention and illustrated its application, I do not consider my invention to be limited to them but have shown them as illustrative of a large variety of applications to which my invention is subject.

I claim:

1. In a dirigible light the combination of a support. a lamp-holding member, a housing therefor a portion of said housing comprising a hand grip. a reflector, means disposed about the posterior portion of the reflector providing a reel for electric cord, said light being securely held by a support but manually detachable therefrom by pulling of the hand grip in a direction away from the support.

2. In a dirigible light, the combination of a lamp, a lamp socket, a lamp-holding mem her, a reflector, means disposed about the convex wall of the reflector providing a reel for electric cord, and said electric cord being wound on said reel with the inner convolutions extending into said lamp socket and the outer convolution extending outwardly from said reflector for attachment to an electrical connection, said lamp-holding member being rotatable within the hand grip, whereby on any movement of the light as a whole, the hand grip may remain stationary while the lamp-holding member rot-ates within the hand grip allowing a free unwinding of the electric cord.

3. In a dirigible light of the character described the combination of a lamp-holding member, a support therefor, and means to securely hold the lamp-holding member and to readily allow the remoy'al of the lampholding member from the support, compris ing a bar, arms mounted thereon and at an angle thereto and means causing portions of the lamp-holding member to bear against the arms,

4. In a dirigible light a lamp-holding member, a reflector, and an electric cord carrying device, comprising the back of the reflector, an annular ring spaced from the reflector to guide the winding and unwinding of the electric cord on the back of the reflector.

5. Ina dirigible light of the character described, the combination with a lamp-holding member of a support comprising a bar, an annular ring and an annular yoke, bosses on the lamp-holding member, spring tension causing the ring and the yoke to press against the bosses.

6. In a dirigible light of the character de scribed, the combination of a lamp-holding member, bosses on said lamp-holding member, and means to securely hold the lampholding member and to readily allow the removal of the lamp-holding member comprising a bar, an annular ring, an annular yoke, spring tension causing the ring and the yoke to press against the bosses.

7. In a dirigible light, in combination with a support, a lamp-holding member comprising a lamp socket connected to an electric contact, a switch member comprising an insulated surface and conductively connected contact notches in said insulated surface. a second electrical contact engageable in one of said contact notches, the switch member e. tending radially through the lamp carrying member and housing and slidably carried by the first electrical contact whereby a movement of the said switch member radially through the lamp carrying member will seat the contact notches into operative engagement with the first and second electrical confacts, and a tubular housing containing the lamp carrying member and having mounted thereon a tubular, axially rotatable grip, a reflector mounted on said housing, and a threaded screw mounted in the housing and threaded into the lamp carrying member whereby a rotation of the screw will move the lamp and the second electrical Contact axially with reference to the housing containing the lamp carrying member and the rotatable grip.

8. In a dirigible light the combination with a support, a lamp-holding member comprising a lamp socket connected to an electric contact, a switch member comprising an insulated surface and conductively connected concausing the bosses to press against the ring tact notches in send insulated surface, a second and yokes.

electrical contact engageable in one of said In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe contact notches, the switch member extendmy name this 13th day Of September, 1928- ing radially through the lamp member and housing and slidably carried by the first electrical contact, whereby a movement of the said switch member radially through the lamp member will seat the contact notches into operative engagement with the first and second electrical contacts, so that movement axially oi the first electrical contact within predetermined limits will still maintain the connection between said electrical contacts.

9. In a dirigible light the combination with asupport mounted on the interior of an automobile and posterior to and independent of the windshield, of a lamp-holding member detachable from said support, and an electric cord carrying device comprising a reflector, and means to wind and unwind the cord upon the posterior portion of the reflector, and a hand grip rotatable upon the lamp-carrying portion, whereby the light may be grasped by the hand of the driver manually detached and moved from the support, the hand grip remaining stationary in the hand of the operator.

10. In a dirigible light the combination with a support, a lamp-holding member comprising a lamp socket connected to an electric contact, a switch member comprising an insulated surface and conductively connected contact notches in said insulated surface, a second contact engageable in one of said contact notches, the switch member extending radially through the lamp member and housing and slidably carried by the first electrical contact whereby a movement of the said switch member radially through the lamp carrying member will seat the contact notches into operative engagement with the first and second electrical contacts, and a tubular housing enclosing the lamp carrying member, and a threaded screw mounted in the housing and threaded into the lamp carrying member whereby a rotation of the screw will move the lamp axially with reference to the housing enclosing the lamp carrying member.

11. In a dirigible light the combination of a detachable lamp-holding member and a support comprising a bar, two annular yokes, bosses on the lamp-holding member and spring tension causing the bosses to press against the yokes.

12. In a dirigible light the combination of a lamp carrying member and a support comprising an elongated arm mounted on an automobile part adjacent and posterior to and independent of the windshield, a ball and socket on which is mounted a bar, an annular ring and annular yoke, on the bar, bosses on the lamp-holding member, and spring tension CHESTER ROSE. 

